A cold spell is to blame for leaks in Churchill that caused a boil-water avisory in the northern Manitoba town Thursday.
Churchill Mayor Mike Spence said frigid temperatures led to several leaks and lost water from the local well.
Officials notified the province, which issued the advisory and said "poorly treated water" made its way through town’s treatment facility.
"To be on the safe side we need to do this," Spence said over the phone from Churchill.
"We’ve had a number of leaks, the weather’s been extremely cold, so it’s a matter of making … sure that standards are there.
And once that’s done, we’ll take the boil-water advisory off."
Locals are asked to boil water for drinking, ice making, preparing things such as baby formula, preparing and washing food as well as for brushing teeth, the Manitoba government said in a release.
Tap water is safe to use for laundry and washing dishes, the province said, and those able to avoid swallowing water can use it for bathing and showering.
Anyone with questions can contact local water system officials at 204-675-0127 or 204-677-6704.
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